“Tadej never gives up... the most important thing is that he recovers 100%” – Pogacar lieutenant insists improbable World Championships comeback is possible after Vuelta crash
CyclingTuesday, 01 September 2026 at 16:45
Tadej Pogacar has not been completely ruled out of defending his rainbow jersey at the 2026 World Championships, according to trusted UAE Team Emirates - XRG teammate Domen Novak.
Novak rides alongside Pogacar for UAE Team Emirates - XRG and is also one of his regular allies in the Slovenian national team, including at the World Championships. His assessment therefore carries relevance both from inside Pogacar’s daily team environment and for Slovenia’s preparations ahead of Canada.
Pogacar faces an exceptionally tight recovery window following the crash that ended his Vuelta a Espana on Stage 8. The elite men’s road race in Canada takes place on September 27, less than four weeks after the accident.
The two-time world champion suffered concussion, a displaced fracture of his left collarbone, a stable fracture of the C7 vertebra and multiple abrasions. His surgery was also delayed under concussion protocols.
Concussion controls Pogacar’s recovery timetable
“He will recover quickly from the broken collarbone, but we don’t know how long he will continue to feel the effects of the concussion,” Novak told Sporza.
A collarbone fracture ordinarily provides riders and teams with a relatively familiar rehabilitation process. The concussion introduces far greater uncertainty, while the C7 fracture adds another injury requiring careful monitoring before Pogacar can contemplate returning to competition. “The most important thing is that he recovers 100%,” Novak stressed. “Starting the World Championships is not a necessity.”
No decision can therefore be made simply by counting the remaining days or tracking the healing of Pogacar’s collarbone. His neurological recovery will play a decisive role in whether competing again this season is possible.
Tadej Pogacar and Domen Novak riding together in training
“Tadej never gives up”
Novak has exchanged several messages with Pogacar since the crash but has avoided placing additional demands upon him during the opening phase of his recovery. “I have sent Tadej a few messages over the past few days, but I would rather not disturb him too much,” he said. “Tadej needs rest so that he can recover as quickly as possible.”
Pogacar left the Vuelta after winning three of the opening seven stages and building a lead of 3:50 over Enric Mas. The accident ended his attempt to complete a career set of Grand Tour victories and placed the defence of his rainbow jersey in immediate doubt. “They say it will be difficult,” Novak acknowledged. “I also think it will be hard for him to be fit in time for the World Championships.”
Pogacar’s reputation for recovering quickly and pursuing ambitious targets prevents Novak from closing the door completely. “But Tadej is a hard worker,” he continued. “He never gives up and he will try to recover quickly.”
Tratnik emerges as Slovenia’s alternative
Slovenia must prepare its World Championships strategy without knowing whether Pogacar will be available. Primoz Roglic is the most prominent alternative after reaching the first rest day of the Vuelta second overall, 1:18 behind Mas.
Novak however, was not convinced that the four-time Vuelta winner would automatically become Slovenia’s protected leader. “I don’t know,” Novak replied when asked whether Roglic would lead. “I think Tratnik might perhaps become our protected rider. He has already shown in the past that he can handle that role and once came close to finishing on the podium.”
The European Championships in Slovenia at the beginning of October provide Pogacar with a second possible route back into competition should Canada arrive too soon. “If Tadej misses the World Championships, I hope he can return for the European Championships,” Novak said.
The Worlds remain possible rather than probable, with Pogacar’s concussion recovery and medical clearance determining whether Slovenia can defend the rainbow jersey with its two-time champion.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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